Snakes

I am fascinated Thailand's overall interest in and dependence on snakes! A snake lover myself, I couldn't be happier. I think it's so cool that snakes are appreciated for the unique properties in their venom that can help create a plethora of vaccines. Drink snake blood is also thought to aid in sexual health, and snakefish heads are a fairly common item on Thai menus. The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute is a handy educational resource near Bangkok, where I've yet to go but plan to as soon as I can find an open weekend. At the snake farm there, people can learn how to safely handle snakes and be educated about venom extraction. The institute also houses the Department of Animal Diagnosis and Investigation, Immunization and Travel Clinic, Animal Bite and Rabies Immunization Clinic, and an Animal Toxin Clinic: http://www.saovabha.com/en/default.asp